The Lifecam Studio Webcam is miles ahead of the standard webcam built into laptops these days and the high price point is justified by the quality this thing pumps out. As another reviewer noted, the marketing is a bit deceptive. It advertises that it is capable of 1080p but there is no mention as to what. That only applies to photos taken with it using the Lifecam Studio software that it comes with. Other software, such as Virtualdub (more for "advanced" users) tap into the power of this webcam to record video at 1080p. Do your own research to this caveat - the rest of this review will be my detailed experience using it. For HD video chat, that requires a strong broadband connection and Microsoft Live Messenger. Everything else: Google+ Hangouts, Skype, ooVoo puts this camera in VGA mode but the normal functions of the webcam stay intact - it delivers crystal clear focusing and accurate color (thanks to the Lifecam software's Truecolor & Clearframe option). Auto focusing is a problem in low light - but that concept applies to any camera. All the Adjustments to the camera are found in the Lifecam software, so you can manually adjust focus, colors, brightness, etc using a slider. the Clearframe option does a great job adjusting for the lighting if you don't want to manually adjust it. One thing I can't stress enough is that the higher the resolution you decide to use this camera, the more demanding on system resources (slows your computer down, etc) and unfortunately, the software isn't 64bit. My system has a GTX460 graphics card, Intel Core i7 and 12gb of RAM and the moment I start raising the resolution, the software begins to complain on resources. This is why it is unfortunate that it's NOT 64bit, because my system is MORE than capable of doing so. The camera has a tripod mount which is convenient and the mount built into the webcam adjusts nicely to sit by itself or attached to monitors - just takes patience to set it just right. the USB cable is a good length. The built in mic is sensitive - use whatever software to adjust it - Live Messenger, Skype, Windows, etc. Skype's auto adjust works pretty good. I included a photo shot at max 1920x1280 resolution. Manually focused to show great detail. Great Bokeh (background blur) and this was in a room only lit by a desklamp. - so this was shot in a low light situation.

The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is the best webcam on the market at a consumer grade for the moment. However, it has it's flaws, and the marketing on the product is slightly deceptive. The quality of the HD video is fantastic for a webcam, but the software included only allows it to shoot at 15 frames per second in the 1280x720 format. This is pretty low but the worst part is you can not even record at the 1920x1080 format. In order to use the product to it's full potential you must use other software to take advantage of the features the advertising promotes, which is the size. Getting that other software to is a pain, but I found Debut video software to be the best . The recordings also seems to have a slight magenta tone to it in certain light. I'm not sure if it is the lens itself or the clear sheet of glass or plastic material protecting the lens. I used a lens cleaner to see if it was some oil from a finger print, but it made no difference. Of course you can adjust all the properties when recording, but if you have to do that to compensate for the slight magenta hue, it just seems like extra work. On the positive side, it is the best webcam for it's price, and there is nothing that I have owed that has equaled up to it. I use it everyday to record animation line tests, stop motion , and time lapse video from my computer. I have attached it to a microscope, telescope, and made custom lenses to mount on it and it really has performed very well. I pretty much put this thing to the test all day, and aside the issues I mentioned earlier, it is worthy buy.

Enjoy video chats with friends and family with this webcam that features 1920 x 1080 video image resolution and up to 2304 x 1728 still image resolution. ClearFrame technology helps ensure clear and detailed images. Great Camera, i have 1 at home.

It was very easy to install and camera works great.

I purchased this camera when it was on sale for $20 off. However, the camera is still a terrific value. The image quality & color are superior and it is exceptionally easy to use. Two things to note however are the loose fitting lens-cap (it was manufactured a shade too narrow for the inside of the lens tube that it is intended for), thus it can fall off with the slightest bump of the camera, and the front leg of the monitor clip could be a hair longer so as to increase stability. For an "everyday" video-conf-cam, it can't be beat.